← Articles

Larose et al: Comparing 3 mm and 5 mm laparoscopic liver biopsy samples in dogs
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Histologic agreement between 3 mm and 5 mm biopsies was 90%, with a Gwet's AC1 of 0.81 (p < .0001).
  • 5 mm biopsies yielded significantly more portal triads and lobules than 3 mm samples (p = .0003 and p < .0001).
  • Crush artifacts were significantly higher in 3 mm samples (p = .035), though fragmentation scores were similar (p = .935).
  • Both forceps produced adequate samples for histopathology, copper quantification, and bacterial culture.
  • No hemorrhage requiring intervention occurred, and both sizes were deemed safe and minimally invasive.
  • Surface area ≥40 mm² strongly predicted ≥11 portal triads, a desirable threshold for reliable histopathology.
  • Use of 3 mm instruments was easier in small dogs (<12 kg), but more challenging in larger dogs due to shaft length.
  • Clinical diagnoses were unaffected by forceps size, even in the one discordant histologic pair.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

How critical is this paper for crushing the Boards?

🚨 Must-know. I’d bet on seeing this.

📚 Useful background, not must-know.

💤 Skip it. Doubt it’ll ever show up.

Thanks for the feedback!
‍We'll keep fine-tuning the articles vault.
Oops — didn’t go through.
‍Mind trying that again?
← Articles

Larose et al: Comparing 3 mm and 5 mm laparoscopic liver biopsy samples in dogs
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Histologic agreement between 3 mm and 5 mm biopsies was 90%, with a Gwet's AC1 of 0.81 (p < .0001).
  • 5 mm biopsies yielded significantly more portal triads and lobules than 3 mm samples (p = .0003 and p < .0001).
  • Crush artifacts were significantly higher in 3 mm samples (p = .035), though fragmentation scores were similar (p = .935).
  • Both forceps produced adequate samples for histopathology, copper quantification, and bacterial culture.
  • No hemorrhage requiring intervention occurred, and both sizes were deemed safe and minimally invasive.
  • Surface area ≥40 mm² strongly predicted ≥11 portal triads, a desirable threshold for reliable histopathology.
  • Use of 3 mm instruments was easier in small dogs (<12 kg), but more challenging in larger dogs due to shaft length.
  • Clinical diagnoses were unaffected by forceps size, even in the one discordant histologic pair.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

Know What Matters in the Literature - and Why

We distill peer-reviewed surgical studies into clinically relevant summaries and
exam-style questions, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Free Access. No Spam. Just Smarter Surgical Learning

Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Larose 2024 et al., on laparoscopic liver biopsies in dogs, what biopsy surface area was associated with a 98% probability of obtaining ≥11 portal triads?

A. 10 mm²
B. 18 mm²
C. 30 mm²
D. 40 mm²
E. 60 mm²

Answer: 40 mm²

Explanation: Figure 1 modeled surface area vs. triad count; ≥40 mm² yielded 98% probability of sufficient portal triads.
In Larose 2024 et al., on laparoscopic liver biopsies in dogs, what was the overall histologic diagnostic agreement between samples collected with 3 mm and 5 mm forceps?

A. 60%
B. 70%
C. 80%
D. 90%
E. 100%

Answer: 90%

Explanation: Histologic agreement between 3 mm and 5 mm samples was 90%, with Gwet’s AC1 of 0.81.
In Larose 2024 et al., on laparoscopic liver biopsies in dogs, what was the key clinical implication of using a 3 mm CBF in small dogs for liver biopsy?

A. It is not suitable for copper quantification
B. It caused significant hemorrhage
C. It required open conversion
D. It was sufficient for histologic diagnosis
E. It required only one sample

Answer: It was sufficient for histologic diagnosis

Explanation: Despite smaller samples, the 3 mm CBF yielded adequate tissue for diagnosis in most dogs.
In Larose 2024 et al., on laparoscopic liver biopsies in dogs, which artifact was significantly more common in 3 mm biopsy samples compared to 5 mm samples?

A. Fragmentation
B. Hemorrhage
C. Crush artifact
D. Bacterial contamination
E. Tissue necrosis

Answer: Crush artifact

Explanation: Crush artifact scores were higher in 3 mm samples (p = .035), although fragmentation scores were not different.
In Larose 2024 et al., on laparoscopic liver biopsies in dogs, how did the 3 mm biopsy cup perform in larger dogs compared to smaller dogs?

A. It performed better
B. It had no difference
C. It caused more bleeding
D. It was harder to manipulate
E. It yielded larger samples

Answer: It was harder to manipulate

Explanation: 3 mm instruments were easier in small dogs but more difficult in large dogs due to shaft length.

Access the full library of surgical summaries and exam-style questions.

Get Instant Access

Educational content developed independently and supported by Simini.

The maker of Simini Protect Lavage.

Review More Key Summaries from this Veterinary Surgery Journal Issue

Cherzan

 et al: 

Factors affecting prognosis in canine subcutaneous mast cell tumors: 45 cases

Burton

 et al: 

Antebrachial conformation in Cocker Spaniels with and without humeral intracondylar fissure

Horwood

 et al: 

Complications and outcomes of total hip arthroplasty in dogs with luxoid hip dysplasia: 18 cases (2010–2022)

Ibrahim

 et al: 

Arterial supply to the scrotum: A cadaveric angiographic study

Jourdain

 et al: 

Fluoroscopically-assisted closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of sacroiliac luxations in cats using 2.4 mm headless cannulated compression screws: Description, evaluation and clinical outcome